Feasibility study of a passive aeration reactor equipped with vertical pipes for compost stabilization of cow manure.

Pilot-scale composting was carried out with cow manure to evaluate the performances of two passive aeration systems: a conventional passive aeration system equipped with horizontal pipes and an unusual passive aeration method based on air delivery by means of vertical pipes. The effects of both types of passive aeration apparatus were investigated in order to determine the degree of composting rate by continuously monitoring temperature, moisture content, organic matter, electrical conductivity, pH and C/N ratio in the piles. Temperatures in the range of thermophily (55-65 degrees C) were reached in all runs within 1-2 days then lasting for about 1 week, a span long enough for pathogen abatement.

Sustained prophylactic effect of intravesical bacille Calmette-Guérin for superficial bladder cancer: a smoothed hazard analysis in a randomized prospective study.

Objectives: A previous meta-analysis had revealed that intravesical chemotherapy was effective in reducing the recurrence of superficial bladder cancer only in the early phase, the phase thought to be caused by tumor cell implantation and/or residual tumor cells. To ascertain the sustained prophylactic effect of intravesical bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) after transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT), we compared the estimation of the duration of the effect with that of doxorubicin.

Methods: Eighty eligible patients with superficial bladder cancer (Stage Ta or T1, grade 1 or 2) were included.

Adverse drug reactions of intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin instillation and risk factors of the development of adverse drug reactions in superficial cancer and carcinoma in situ of the bladder.

Background: We examined the incidence and severity of adverse drug reactions following intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) instillation for superficial bladder cancer including carcinoma in situ. We investigated the relationship between adverse drug reactions and patient background to clarify risk factors for the development of adverse drug reactions.

Methods: A total of 123 patients who underwent intravesical BCG instillation for treatment and prophylaxis between April 1997 and June 2000 were included in this study.

Effect of prophylactic treatment with intravesical epirubicin on recurrence of superficial bladder cancer--The 6th Trial of the Japanese Urological Cancer Research Group (JUCRG): a randomized trial of intravesical epirubicin at dose of 20mg/40ml, 30mg/40ml, 40mg/40ml.

Objectives: We compared the prophylactic efficacy and safety of epirubicin (EPI) in primary superficial bladder cancer.

Methods: The major inclusion criteria were primary superficial bladder tumour (Ta, T1, G1, G2) and new cases of primary multiple tumours, or recurrent cases. The major exclusion criteria were Tis or G3 tumours.

Radical cystectomy for invasive bladder cancer: results of multi-institutional pooled analysis.

Background: We report the outcome of radical cystectomy for patients with invasive bladder cancer, who did not have regional lymph node or distant metastases, at 21 hospitals.

Methods: Retrospective, non-randomized, multi-institutional pooled data were analyzed to evaluate outcomes of patients who received radical cystectomy. Between 1991 and 1995, 518 patients with invasive bladder cancer were treated with radical cystectomy at 21 hospitals.

A clinical study of PMCJ-9 (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin Connaught strain) treatment of superficial bladder cancer and carcinoma in situ of the bladder.

Background: Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is now a standard treatment for Ta, T1 carcinoma and carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the urinary bladder. In Japan, however, only BCG Tokyo 172 strain is commercially available. We therefore designed a clinical study of PMCJ-9 (BCG Connaught strain) for obtaining approval from Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.

High-rate denitrification and SS rejection by biofilm-electrode reactor (BER) combined with microfiltration.

In this study, a multi-cathode biofilm-electrode reactor (BER) combined with microfiltration (MF) was investigated using a laboratory-scale experimental apparatus for treatment of nitrate-contaminated water. The multi-cathode electrodes were composed of multiple-granular activated carbons (GACs). GACs attached to each cathode to enlarge surface area of electrodes and to attach bacteria quickly and firmly.

Failure to maintain the suppressed level of serum testosterone during luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist therapy in a patient with prostate cancer.

A 75-year-old man with metastatic prostate cancer had been treated with goserelin acetate, and prostate specific antigen (PSA) had decreased, but 11/2 years after beginning the treatment of goserelin acetate, PSA was markedly elevated and serum testosterone was at normal level. After castration the serum testosterone was at castrate level and PSA decreased. In the present case, leuprorelin acetate 1-month depot suppressed the luteinizing hormone level in 1 month, even after the patient underwent castration.

Habitual intake of lactic acid bacteria and risk reduction of bladder cancer.

Introduction: A kind of lactic acid bacteria, Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota, shows antitumor activity in experimental animals. One clinical trial using L. casei showed a significant decrease in the recurrence of superficial bladder cancer.

Renal angiomyolipoma with minimal fat.

We report here two patients with angiomyolipoma with minimal fat, who were treated by radical nephrectomy, with a diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma. The tumors in these two patients were hyperattenuated on unenhanced computed tomography (CT) images, but did not show fat components, and were moderately enhanced on contrast-enhanced CT images. The tumor in one patient was homogeneously hypointense on T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images, enhanced during the early phase on dynamic MR images, and, further, showed abundant pulsatile blood vessels on color Doppler examination.

Stage specific follow-up strategy after cystectomy for carcinoma of the bladder.

Background: Follow-up strategies after cystectomy for carcinoma of the bladder should be determined according to the risk of recurrence, which is stage dependent. We aimed to develop follow-up protocol for monitoring patients with carcinoma of the bladder for tumor recurrence and diverted urinary tract complications after radical cystectomy.

Methods: The records of 351 patients with carcinoma of the bladder who underwent cystectomy between 1979 and 1999 were reviewed for dates and presenting symptoms of local and distant recurrences.

Ipsilateral adrenal involvement from renal cell carcinoma: retrospective study of the predictive value of computed tomography.

Objectives: To compare the radiologic evidence of adrenal involvement on computed tomography (CT) with pathologic reports and to assess the accuracy of CT in the diagnosis of adrenal involvement with renal cell carcinoma.

Methods: Between January 1992 and June 2000, we treated 229 patients with renal cell carcinoma. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed 73 patients who had been examined by CT before surgery and had undergone radical nephrectomy, including removal of the ipsilateral adrenal gland.